[0001] The present invention relates generally to electronic music apparatus, methods and
programs capable of displaying various information, such as lyrics, in response to
reproduction of performance data. More particularly, the present invention relates
to an improved electronic music apparatus, method and program which allow a user to
readily select a user-created text data file containing various information. The present
invention also relates to an improved electronic music apparatus, method and program
which, during reproduction of performance data, can display lyrics based on a lyrics
data file and display various information based on a user-created text file while
switching as necessary between the lyrics and the text-file information.
[0002] Apparatus have been known which are constructed to prestore lyrics data along with
performance data forming a basis of an automatic performance and display lyrics of
a music piece, to be automatically performed by reproduction of the performance data,
on the basis of the lyrics data. One example of such apparatus is disclosed in Japanese
Patent Application Laid-open Publication No.
HEI-9-152876 corresponding to
U. S. Patent No. 5,808,223. In the disclosed apparatus, lyrics data are embedded in performance data so that
lyrics corresponding to a currently-automatically-performed music piece can be displayed
in accordance with reproduction of the performance data. The disclosed apparatus is
also constructed to, instead of embedding lyric data in performance data, prepare
in advance a lyrics data file separately from a performance file with a same file
name, but different file extensions, allocated to both of the files so as to associate
the performance data and lyrics data with each other, so that the apparatus can read
out lyrics corresponding to a currently-automatically-performed music piece by reading
out the lyrics data associated with the currently-reproduced performance data.
[0003] However, the prior art publication merely discloses lyrics data for displaying lyrics
corresponding to a currently-automatically-performed music piece, and it does not
contain any particular disclosure of, or give any particular consideration to, non-lyrics
data for displaying various other information than lyrics (e.g., memos about how to
operate an electronic music apparatus and how to play music). Thus, it is conceivable
to prepare in advance a non-lyrics data file separately from a performance file similarly
to the above-mentioned lyrics data file (or previously embed non-lyrics data in performance
data), and display for example various other information than lyrics, pertaining to
a music piece automatically performed by reproduction of the performance data, on
the basis of the prepared non-lyrics data file (or embedded non-lyrics data). However,
each conventionally-known lyrics data file is in a dedicated format where combinations
of "time data" indicative of timing for displaying individual words and "lyrics event
data" indicative of words to be displayed are arranged in time series. Thus, it tends
to be very difficult for a user, who is unfamiliar with such a dedicated format, to
create a non-lyrics data file (or embed non-lyrics data) with similar arrangements
to a lyrics data file using a personal computer or the like. Further, because, in
order to associate non-lyrics data with performance data, there is a significant constraint
that the non-lyrics data file be assigned a file name having some relationship with
a file name assigned to the performance file, the user can not create in advance a
non-lyrics data file with a desired file name assigned thereto. Further, the conventional
technique could not display various other information than lyrics on a display of
the electronic music apparatus although the user so desired; thus, for display of
various other information than lyrics, there was no choice but to, for example, take
notes of the information on a piece of paper or the like and attach the paper or the
like to the electronic music apparatus.
[0004] US-B1- 6 429 366 discloses a device and method for creating and reproducing data-containing musical
composition information. To musical composition information such as a standard MIDI
file, there are added accessory data, such as message or text data, and setting information
for the accessory information which are both unrelated to the musical composition
information. These accessory data and setting information are inserted, as meta events,
in the standard MIDI file. In this way, a musical composition information file can
be created which is an integral combination of the musical composition information
and the accessory data containing the setting information. The musical composition
information file with the accessory data can be transmitted or received via a communication
network, or stored in a recording medium for portability. The musical composition
information file can be reproduced to permit simultaneous execution of performance
reproduction processing and image reproduction processing such as for display of a
message.
[0005] US-B1-6 374 260 discloses a method and an apparatus for uploading, indexing, analyzing and search
media content. The method comprises the steps of: a) transferring files identified
by a user from a source location at which the user found the files to a central location
specified by the user, the files comprising media content; b) generating multiple
files having transcoded formats for each of the files; c) receiving user annotations
comprising free form textual comments and selected data regarding the media content
of the files; d) storing the user annotations as metadata in association with the
files; e) indexing for each one of the files textual data from within the file, a
filename for the file, and the metadata; f) generating multiple types of previews
for each of the files; g) receiving queries from a user regarding the metadata and
media content at the central location; h) selecting files comprising media content
responsive to the user queries; i) providing the transcoded formats of the files;
and j) providing the multiple types of previews of the selected files, and metadata
associated therewith, for retrieval by the user.
[0006] US-B1-6 206 704 discloses a karaoke network system with commercial message selection system. The
improved karaoke network system allows a user to select and obtain desired information
through an interface while a message is displayed between intermissions of karaoke
performances. Data files for karaoke performance, displaying messages, and displaying
data selection menus are written in a common structure. Each of the data files has
a text region, an icon graphic image region, a display graphic image region, and an
action region. The text region of each data file includes text data for indication
of a title of the data file, the icon graphic image region contains image data for
displaying icons. The data files are associated with one another by the link data
contained in the action regions of the data files. A chain of related data files are
executed by a menu selection operation or a key input operation by the user for performing
karaoke performance and displaying messages and data selection menus. In the image
for introducing new songs text information containing titles of new songs, names of
artists. and numbers of the new songs are represented.
[0007] EP-A-0 911 830 discloses a recording medium capable of recording main data such as audio data for
example and auxiliary data such as character information and image information. In
reproducing the recording medium having a main data area for recording main data,
an auxiliary data area for recording auxiliary data such as image data and text data
corresponding to the main data, a first control area for controlling the main data
area, and a second control area for controlling the auxiliary data, the auxiliary
data is reproduced in a predetermined timed relation with the main data based on synchronization
information recorded in the second control area.
[0008] In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide an
electronic music apparatus, method and program which can readily select a user-created
text data file of a desired file name and display contents of the selected text data
file, by previously including text file selection information in a registration data
file and allowing a text data file to be selected in response to selection of the
registration data file.
[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide an electronic music apparatus,
method and program which, during reproduction of performance data including lyrics
data indicative of lyrics, permit a display of lyrics based on a lyrics data file
and a display of various information based on a user-created text data file, including
various desired information, while switching as necessary between the displays of
the lyrics and various information.
[0010] The present invention provides an improved electronic music apparatus according to
claim 1.
[0011] Advantageous embodiments may be configured according to any of claim 1 or claim 2.
[0012] The present invention may be constructed and implemented not only as the apparatus
invention as discussed above but also as a method invention. Also, the present invention
may be arranged and implemented as a software program for execution by a processor
such as a computer or DSP, as well as a storage medium storing such a software program.
Further, the processor used in the present invention may comprise a dedicated processor
with dedicated logic built in hardware, not to mention a computer or other general-purpose
type processor capable of running a desired software program.
[0013] The following will describe embodiments of the present invention, but it should be
appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments
and various modifications of the invention are possible without departing from the
basic principles. The scope of the present invention is therefore to be determined
solely by the appended claims.
[0014] For better understanding of the objects and other features of the present invention,
its preferred embodiments will be described hereinbelow in greater detail with reference
to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a general hardware setup of an electronic music
apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing examples of data formats of various files,
where (a), (b) and (c) show data formats of an automatic performance data file, registration
data file and text data file, respectively;
Fig. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a lyrics display screen;
Fig. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a text file selection screen;
Fig. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a text display screen
Figs. 6A, 6B and 6C are flow charts showing an embodiment of main processing performed
by a CPU in the electronic music apparatus;
Fig. 7 is a flow chart showing an embodiment of an automatic performance process;
Fig. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing specific examples of screen switching processes
responsive to user's operation of registration selection switches; and
Fig. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing specific examples of screen switching processes
responsive to user's switch operation during an automatic performance.
[0015] Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a general hardware setup of an electronic
music apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. This electronic
music apparatus is controlled by a microcomputer comprising a microprocessor unit
(CPU) 1, a read-only memory (ROM) 2 and a random-access memory (RAM) 3. The CPU 1
controls behavior of the entire electronic music apparatus. To the CPU 1 are connected,
via a data and address bus 1D, the ROM 2, RAM 3, detection circuits 4 and 5, display
circuit 6, tone generator (T.G.) circuit 7, effect circuit 8, external storage device
10, MIDI interface (I/F) 11 and communication interface 12. Also connected to the
CPU 1 is a timer 1A for counting various time periods and intervals, for example,
to signal interrupt timing for a timer interrupt process. For example, the timer 1A
generates clock pulses, which are given to the CPU 1 as processing timing instructions
or as interrupt instructions. The CPU 1 carries out various processes in accordance
with such instructions.
[0016] The ROM 2 has prestored therein various programs to be executed by the CPU 1 and
various data. The RAM 3 is used as a working memory for temporarily storing various
data generated as the CPU 1 executes a predetermined program, as a memory for storing
the currently-executed program and data related thereto, and for various other purposes.
Predetermined address regions of the RAM 3 are allocated and used as registers, flags,
tables, memories, etc. Particularly, in the instant embodiment, the RAM 3 is used
as a data memory for temporarily storing respective paths of (or to) automatic performance
files and text files (AP_PATH and TXT_PATH), an image buffer memory for temporarily
storing various other information, such as image data to be used for displaying a
lyrics screen .
[0017] Performance operator unit 4A is, for example, in the form of a keyboard having a
plurality of keys for selecting pitches of tones, which also includes key switches
in corresponding relation to the keys. The performance operator unit (e.g., keyboard)
4A can be used not only for a manual performance by the user, but also as an input
means for selecting a music piece to be automatically performed in the electronic
music apparatus and setting performance environments. The detection circuit 4 detects
depression and release of the keys on the performance operator unit to thereby produce
detection outputs. For example, a setting operator unit 5A includes: an automatic
performance switch for instructing start/stop of reproduction of automatic performance
data; performance data selection switches for selecting an automatic performance file
(hereinafter also referred to simply as "performance file") to be automatically performed;
registration selection switches for selecting a registration data file (hereinafter
also referred to simply as "registration file") that is cable of collectively setting
performance environments, such as a performance tempo, tone color, tone volume and
effect; function switches disposed around a display 6A and operating in correspondence
with contents displayed on a screen of the display 6A (see screens shown in Figs.
3 - 5); a "freeze" instruction switch for instructing validity/invalidity of inhibition
setting such that even an item, setting of which has been instructed by a registration
file as a performance environment, is excluded from among objects of setting; etc.
Needless to say, the setting operator unit 5A may include various other operators
than the above-mentioned, such as a numeric keypad for inputting numerical value data
to be used for selecting, setting and controlling a tone pitch, color, effect, etc.,
a keyboard for inputting text or character data, a mouse for operating a pointer displayed
on the display 6A, etc. The detection circuit 5 detects operational states of the
above-mentioned switches to output switch information, corresponding to the detected
operational states, to the CPU 1 via the data and address bus 1D.
[0018] The display circuit 6 displays, on the display 6 which is in the form of a liquid
crystal display (LCD) panel, CRT or the like, a list of automatic performance data
(sets) capable of being automatically performed, types of performance environments
to be used in an automatic performance, current settings, various screens, such as
a "lyrics display screen", "text file selection screen" and "text display screen",
(see Figs. 3 - 5), controlling states of the CPU 1, etc. With reference to these various
information displayed on the display 6A, the user can select a desired automatic performance
file, registration file or text data file ((hereinafter also referred to simply as
"text file"). Also, by switching as necessary between the various screens, the user
can check, on the displayed screens, lyrics and various other information than lyrics.
In the instant embodiment of the electronic music apparatus, lyrics data included
in an automatic performance file and text data included in a text file are not transferred
directly to a predetermined image memory (not shown) of the display circuit 6 for
displays of the lyrics and text; instead, screen data, comprising lyrics and text
images created on a page-by-page basis on the basis of the lyrics data and text data,
are temporarily stored in an image buffer memory provided in the RAM 3, and the thus-buffered
screen data are then transferred to the image memory of the display circuit 6 as necessary
so that the lyrics and text are displayed on the display 6A. Of course, the present
invention is not necessarily so limited.
[0019] The tone generator (T.G.) circuit 7, which is capable of simultaneously generating
tone signals in a plurality of channels, receives, via the data and address bus 1D,
various performance information generated in response to user's manipulation on the
performance operator unit 4A or generated on the basis of performance data of an automatic
performance file, and it generates tone signals on the basis of the received performance
information. Each of the tone signals thus generated by the tone generator circuit
7 is audibly reproduced or sounded by a sound system 9, including an amplifier and
speaker, after being imparted with a desired effect via the effect circuit 8. The
tone generator circuit 7, effect circuit 8 and sound system 9 may be constructed in
any conventionally-known manner. For example, any desired tone signal synthesis method
may be used in the tone generator circuit 7, such as the FM, PCM, physical model or
formant synthesis method. Further, the tone generator circuit 7 may be implemented
by either dedicated hardware or software processing performed by the CPU 1.
[0020] The external storage device 10 is provided for storing various files, such as automatic
performance files, registration files and text files, various control-related data,
such as various control programs for execution by the CPU 1, etc. Where a particular
control program is not prestored in the ROM 2, the control program may be prestored
in the external storage device (e.g., hard disk device) 10, so that, by reading the
control program from the external storage device 10 into the RAM 3, the CPU 1 is allowed
to operate in exactly the same way as in the case where the particular control program
is stored in the program memory 2. This arrangement greatly facilitates version upgrade
of the control program, addition of a new control program, etc. The external storage
device 10 may comprise any of various removable-type media other than the hard disk
(HD), such as a flexible disk (FD), compact disk (CD-ROM or CD-RAM), magneto-optical
disk (MO) and digital versatile disk (DVD), and a semiconductor memory, such as a
flash memory.
[0021] The MIDI interface (I/F) 11 is provided for inputting performance data of the MIDI
format (i.e., MIDI data) from externally-connected other MIDI equipment 11A or the
like to the electronic music apparatus, and for outputting performance data of the
MIDI format (i.e., MIDI data) from the electronic music apparatus to the other MIDI
equipment 11A or the like. The other MIDI equipment 11A may be of any desired type
(or operating type), such as the keyboard type, string instrument type, wind instrument
type, percussion instrument type or gesture type, as long as it can generate MIDI
data in response to operation by a user of the equipment. The MIDI interface 11 may
be a general-purpose interface rather than a dedicated MIDI interface, such as RS232-C,
USB (Universal Serial Bus) or IEEE1394, in which case other data than MIDI event data
may be communicated at the same time. In the case where such a general-purpose interface
as noted above is used as the MIDI interface 11, the other MIDI equipment 11A connected
with the electronic music apparatus of the present invention may be designed to communicate
other data than MIDI event data. Of course, the performance data handled in the present
invention may be of any other data format than the MIDI format, in which case the
MIDI interface 11 and other MIDI equipment 11A are constructed in conformity to the
data format used. The communication interface (I/F) 12 is connected to a wired or
wireless communication network X, such as a LAN or Internet, via which it can be connected
to a desired server computer 12A to input any of various programs and various data
from the server computer 12A to the electronic music apparatus. Namely, where a particular
control program or data is not stored in the ROM 2 or external storage device 10 (e.g.,
hard disk), the communication interface 12 is used to download the particular control
program or data from the server computer 12A. It should be appreciated that the communication
interface 12 may be of either or both of wired and wireless types.
[0022] Furthermore, in the electronic music apparatus of the invention, the performance
operator unit 4A may be of any other type than the keyboard type, such as the stringed
instrument type, wind instrument type or percussion instrument type. Moreover, the
electronic music apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the type where
the performance operator unit 4A, display 6, tone generator circuit 7, etc. are incorporated
together within the body of the electronic music apparatus; for example, the electronic
music apparatus may be constructed in such a manner that the above-mentioned components
are provided separately and interconnected via communication facilities such as a
MIDI interface, communication network and/or the like.
[0023] The following paragraphs describe a plurality of automatic performance files, registration
files and text files stored in the external storage device 10 or the like for use
in the electronic music apparatus, with reference to Fig. 2. Sections (a), (b) and
(c) of Fig. 2 are conceptual diagrams showing example data structures of the automatic
performance files, registration files and text files, respectively. Although other
data than those illustrated in the figure may be included in the automatic performance
files, registration files and text files, such other data are not essential to the
present invention and will not be described.
[0024] As shown in section (a) of Fig. 2, each of the automatic performance files includes
performance data and lyrics data. The performance data are data indicative of contents
of a music piece to be automatically performed, which, as conventionally known, comprise
combinations of performance timing data and performance event data stored in performance
progression order. Each of the performance event data is indicative of content of
a music-piece-reproducing performance event, such as tone generation or tone deadening
(i.e., silencing). More specifically, the performance event is any one of a key-on
event, key-off event, tempo change event, tone color change event, etc., and an automatic
performance is executed on the basis of such performance events. The performance timing
data are each indicative of a time point (i.e., timing) at which the corresponding
performance data is to be processed; for example, the performance timing data indicates
generation timing of a performance event by an absolute time from the beginning of
the music piece or measure, or by a relative time from an immediately preceding performance
event. The lyrics data are each indicative of words to be displayed on the display
6A. As known in the art, the lyrics data comprise combinations of timing data each
indicative of timing for displaying words of a predetermined range in accordance with
a progression of a performance and lyrics event data indicative of words to be actually
displayed; these combinations are stored in predetermined display order.
[0025] The performance data handled in the instant embodiment may be in any desired format,
such as: the "event plus absolute time" format where the time of occurrence of each
performance event (or lyrics event) is represented by an absolute time within the
music piece or a measure thereof the "event plus relative time" format where the time
of occurrence of each performance event (or lyrics event) is represented by a time
length from the immediately preceding event; the "pitch (rest) plus note length" format
where each performance data is represented by a pitch and length of a note or a rest
and a length of the rest; or the "solid" format where a memory region is reserved
for each minimum resolution of a performance and each performance event (or lyrics
event) is stored in one of the memory regions that corresponds to the time of occurrence
of the performance event.
[0026] In the memory, time-serial performance data (or lyrics data) may be stored in successive
regions, or performance data (or lyrics data) stored in dispersed regions may be managed
as successive data; namely, it is only necessary that the performance data (or lyrics
data) be managed as successive performance data (or lyrics data), and it does not
matter whether or not the performance data (or lyrics data) are actually stored in
succession in the memory. Whereas section (a) of Fig. 2 shows performance data and
lyrics data as arranged independently of each other and a combination of mutually-related
(or associated) performance data and lyrics data stored as a single automatic performance
file, the present invention is not so limited; for example, the lyrics event data
may be mixedly included at appropriate locations in the performance data.
[0027] Each of the registration file comprises data pertaining to various parameters that
have to be set in advance for shared use by all of performance parts included in an
object of a performance (i.e., music piece to be performed), such as data that pertain
to, for example, setting of a performance tempo, time (or meter), tone color and effect
of each of the performance parts, etc. By selecting a desired one of the registration
files, the user can collectively set performance environments in the electronic music
apparatus with ease. As illustrated in section (b) of Fig. 2, each of the registration
files includes paths of an automatic performance file and text file, freeze item data,
and other setting data. The path of an automatic performance file is automatic performance
data selection information that points to a hierarchical storage location in the external
storage device 10 or the like storing the automatic performance file to which the
performance environments in question are to be applied; the path is indicative of,
for example, names of a disk, directory and automatic performance file. Needless to
say, where no automatic performance file, to which the performance environments in
question are to be applied, has been set in advance, the registration file need not
include any path of an automatic performance file. Where any path of an automatic
performance file, to which the performance environments in question are to be applied,
is included, the automatic performance data and text file are associated with each
other. The path of the text file is text file selection information that points to
a hierarchical storage location in the external storage device 10 or the like storing
the automatic performance file to which the performance environments in question are
to be applied; the path includes, for example, names of a disk, directory, text file,
etc.
[0028] The freeze item data is data indicative of an item that can be excluded from among
objects of setting (to permit no setting therefor) although the registration file
instructs setting of the item as a performance environment. For the item designated
as the freeze item data, the user can use the freeze instruction switch to set, as
necessary, validity/invalidity of inhibition setting as to whether a performance environment
should be reflected or not. For example, where a "text file" is designated as the
freeze item data and a "freeze" has been instructed by the user operating the freeze
instruction switch, readout of the text file based on the path and a new screen display
based on the text file are not carried out, so that the last (immediately preceding)
screen display is continued as before. Further, where a "text file" is designated
as the freeze item data but no freeze has been instructed by the user operating the
freeze instruction switch, readout of the text file based on the path and a new screen
display based on the text file are carried out. The above-mentioned other setting
data are performance environment setting information for setting performance environments,
such as a tone color, volume, time (or meter) and tempo, to be used in a manual performance
and/or automatic performance.
[0029] Each of the text files comprises data that can be created by the user using a personal
computer etc. As illustrated in section (c) of Fig. 2, the text file comprises text
data including lyrics and various other information than lyrics. In the context of
the present invention, the terms "text file" are used to refer to any one of a plain
text file comprising text data represented only in pure letters, markup language file
including various tags (e.g., HTML, XML or the like), and rich text file or word processing
file including format information etc. In short, each text file may be of any format
as long as it includes text data and it can be created with ease via a personal computer
etc. Further, the text file may also include other data than the text data, such as
image data. The electronic music apparatus of the invention is equipped with a program
that can read and visually display such text files of various formats.
[0030] Some registration file may include a plurality of pieces of text file selection information
(in this case, paths of text files) so that the text files can be selected sequentially
or in any desired manner through operation of predetermined operators of the electronic
music apparatus. In another alternative, after the end or beginning of one text file
has been reached through page switching or turning operation, the next text file may
be selected by further page switching operation.
[0031] It is desirable that one or more registration files be assigned to one or more operators
(registration selection switches) of the electronic music apparatus so that the user
can readily select any desired one of the registration files by operating a corresponding
one of the operators (registration selection switches). In another alternative, a
sequence of a plurality of registration files to be sequentially selected may be preset
so that the registration files are sequentially read out automatically or in response
to operation, by the human operator, of predetermined operators in accordance with
a progression of a performance so that performance environments can be set in accordance
with the performance progression.
[0032] Now, a description will be made about various screens displayed on the display 6A.
Fig. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the "lyrics display screen" for
displaying lyrics on the basis of lyrics data. Specifically, this example of the "lyrics
display screen" displays words of a predetermined range corresponding to a page, in
accordance with lyrics screen data including a plurality of lyrics images of the music
piece in question which were divided into a plurality of pages in accordance with
a size of the display 6A determined by a size of the display screen (or display window);
lyrics of a predetermined range are displayed per page. On the display area A, a "Text"
indication B and "Text File" indication C are given in addition to and immediately
beneath the lyrics display of one page. The "Text" indication B and "Text File" indication
C show what function has been allocated to each of a number of function switches disposed
around the display 6A. Once any one of the function switches D, corresponding in position
to the "Text" indication B, is depressed, the displayed screen is switched from the
"lyrics display screen" to a "text display screen" that will be later described with
reference to Fig. 5. Namely, to each of the function switches D is allocated a function
for switching between the "lyrics display screen" and the "text display screen". Further,
once any one of the function switches E, corresponding in position to the "text file"
indication C, is depressed, the displayed screen is switched from the "lyrics display
screen" to a "text file selection screen" that will be later described with reference
to Fig. 4. Namely, to each of the function switches E is allocated a function for
switching between the "lyrics display screen" and the "text file selection screen".
"Back" and "Next" switches F and G shown on an upper right area of Fig. 3 are provided
for turning to pages immediately preceding and succeeding the currently-displayed
page; however, no page switching is made during an automatic performance.
[0033] Fig. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the "text file selection screen"
that displays a list of user-created text files to permit selection of a desired one
of the text files. More specifically, the "text file selection screen" displays, on
the display area A, a list of file names (aaaa.txt, bbbb.txt, etc.) of one or more
text files created in advance by the user. Once any one of function switches H disposed
to the left and right of the display 6A is depressed, the text file of the file name
corresponding to the depressed function switch H is selected, and the displayed screen
is switched from the "text file selection screen" back to the last screen ("lyrics
display screen" or "text display screen") that was being displayed immediately before
the switching. If, in this case, the displayed screen has been switched back to the
"text display screen", contents of the selected text file are displayed. Namely, to
the each of the function switches H is allocated a function to operate as a switch
for selecting a desired text file. "Return" indication I is given on the display area
A in addition to the "file name" display. When any one of function switches J, corresponding
in position to the "Return" indication I, has been depressed, the displayed screen
is switched from the "text file selection screen" to the last screen ("lyrics display
screen" or "text display screen"), similarly to the above-described. Namely, to each
of the switches J is allocated a function to operate as a switch for returning the
displayed display to the last screen with no text file selected. Where there are stored
text files greater in number than the number of text files (ten text files in the
illustrated example) capable of being displayed at a time on the display area A, a
"Back" switch F and "Next" switch G are operable to cause the other text files than
the currently-displayed text files to be displayed on another page of the text file
selection screen.
[0034] Fig. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the "text display screen" displayed
on the basis of a text file. The "text display screen" displays, in text form on the
display area A, various information of predetermined ranges corresponding to pages,
in accordance with text screen data (created from a text file to be displayed) composed
of a plurality of text divided on the page-by-page basis. On the display area A, there
are displayed at a time, one page of the text, a "Lyrics" indication B' and "Text
File" indication C immediately below the text display. Once any one of function switches
D', corresponding in position to the "Text" indication B', is depressed on the "text
display screen", the displayed screen is switched from the "text display screen" to
the "lyrics display screen". Further, once any one of function switches E, corresponding
in position to the "Text File" indication C, is depressed, the displayed screen is
switched from the "text display screen" to the "text file selection screen". Namely,
to each of the function switches D' and E is allocated a function to operate as a
switch for switching between the "lyrics display screen" and the "text display screen".
"Back" and "Next" switches F and G on an upper right area of Fig. 5 are provided for
returning to pages immediately preceding and succeeding the currently-displayed page.
On the "text display screen", page switching is carried out in response to user's
operation irrespective of whether an automatic performance is in progress or not,
unlike on the "lyrics display screen".
[0035] Text files to be displayed on the above-mentioned "text file selection screen", etc.
may be supplied to the electronic music apparatus in any of various manners, e.g.
via an external storage media, via a communication interface, or by the user directly
creating the text files on the electronic music apparatus (e.g., creating the text
files by operating the setting operator unit 5A of the electronic music apparatus
while viewing displayed contents on the display 6A). Particularly, in the case where
the text files are supplied via the communication interface, the electronic music
apparatus may be caused to function as a storage device (e.g., USB storage device)
as viewed from a personal computer, and the personal computer may directly create
and edit text files within the electronic music apparatus via the communication interface
(USB).
[0036] Further, text files may be prestored in a device external to the electronic music
apparatus, and paths to the text files in the external device may be described in
registration data. If the text files are Web page data (e.g., in the HTML or XML format)
stored in a Web site on a network and if the URLs of the Web page data are described,
as paths to the text files, in registration data, then Web pages associated with the
registration data can be displayed on the electronic music apparatus in response to
selection of the registration data. More specifically, access is made, via the communication
network 12, to the URLs described in the registration data, in response to selection
of the registration data, so as to acquire (receive) the corresponding Web page data
via the communication network 12, and the thus-acquired Web page data are displayed
on the display 6A of the electronic music apparatus. Note that the text files in the
Web site may be ones created and uploaded to the Web site by the user of the electronic
music apparatus, or ones created and uploaded to the Web site by the supplier (maker,
distributor or the like) of the electronic music apparatus. Note that the above-mentioned
external device may be other than a web site on a network, such as a file server constructed
on a LAN or a personal computer or other electronic music apparatus connected to the
electronic music apparatus of the invention via a communication interface, such as
a USB.
[0037] Regarding the text file display on the above-mentioned "text display screen", arrangements
may be made such that the user can select, through operation of the setting operator
unit 5A, a desired type and size of a font to be displayed, displayed color, displayed
position (e.g., left-justified, center or right-justified), linefeed (whether or not
to begin a new line at an end of the displayed screen). These setting information
may be described in advance in a registration file so that the above-mentioned items
can be automatically set by selection of the registration file. Further, there may
be provided an application program (hereinafter called "display simulating application"),
to be executed by a personal computer, having a display screen simulative of the display
specifications of the display 6A of the electronic music apparatus, in order to readily
ascertain how the contents of a text file are to be displayed as the "text display
screen" on the display 6A of the electronic music apparatus. If, in such a case, the
user is allowed to use the display simulating application to create and edit a text
file, or read a text file created and edited via a separately-provided text editor
or the like so that a display style of the text file can be ascertained, so that it
is possible to eliminate the need to supply the text file to the electronic music
apparatus only for the ascertaining purposes, which is very convenient.
[0038] Whereas the preferred embodiment has been described above in relation to the case
where only one of the lyrics display and text display is made at a time, both the
lyrics display and the text display may be made at a time in parallel to each other.
In such a case, either one of the lyrics display and text display may be made a main
display with the other display made in a smaller font to highlight the main display,
in accordance with a screen switching instruction given via user's operation of a
predetermined switch.
[0039] Next, with reference to Figs. 6A - 6C, a description will be given about "main processing"
for performing various operations in response to user's operation of predetermined
switches etc. Figs. 6A, 6B and 6C are flow charts showing an embodiment of the "main
processing" performed by the CPU 1 shown in Fig. 1. For convenience of illustration,
the "main processing" is shown as divided into three parts: a front part shown in
Fig. 6A; a middle part shown in Fig. 6B; and a rear part shown in Fig. 6C.
[0040] First, at step S1 of Fig. 6A, a determination is made as to whether any automatic
performance file has been selected in response to operation, by the user, of any of
the performance data selection switches. If any automatic performance file has been
selected (YES determination at step S1), the path of the selected automatic performance
file is stored into the data memory (AP_PATH), at step S2. If, at the time of operation
of the performance data selection switch, an automatic performance was being executed
on the basis of a file different from the selected automatic performance file, reproduction
of the automatic performance file newly selected on the basis of the path stored in
the data memory (AP_PATH) is started, replacing the file reproduction that was being
executed immediately before the operation of the performance data selection switch,
at step S3. At step S4, it is determined whether or not any text file has been selected
in response to user's operation of any one of the function switches H during display
of the "text file selection screen". If any text file has been selected (YES determination
at step S4), the path of the selected text file is stored into the data memory (TXT_PATH),
at step S5. Then, the text screen data of the leading or first page are created in
the image buffer, at step S6. If the "text file selection screen" currently displayed
is a screen having replaced (i.e., having been switched from) the "text display screen",
the thus-created text screen data are transferred to the image memory, and the displayed
screen on the display 6A is brought from the "text file selection screen" back to
the leading page of the "text display screen".
[0041] At step S7, a determination is made as to whether any registration file has been
selected in response to user's operation of any of the registration selection switches.
If no registration file has been selected (NO determination at step S7), the CPU 1
jumps to step S17 of Fig. 6B to be later described, without performing various performance
environment setting based on a registration file as set forth below. If, on the other
hand, any registration file has been selected (YES determination at step S7), a further
determination is made, at step S8, as to whether the registration file has a path
of any automatic performance file recorded therein. If a path of any automatic performance
file is recorded in the automatic performance file (YES determination at step S8),
it is further determined, at step S9, whether the automatic performance is not currently
set as an object of freeze setting. If the automatic performance is currently set
as an object of freeze setting (NO determination at step S9), a further determination
is made, at step S10, as to whether the freeze is not being currently instructed by
the user operating the freeze instructing switch. If the freeze is not being currently
instructed by the user (YES determination at step S10), an automatic performance file
process is performed in accordance with the recorded path of the automatic performance
file, at step S11. The "automatic performance file process" is a process corresponding
to steps S2 and S3 above. Namely, the path of the automatic performance file recorded
in the registration file is stored into the data memory (AP_PATH), and an automatic
performance is initiated on the basis of the automatic performance file.
[0042] At step S12, a determination is made as to whether the registration file has a path
of any text file recorded therein. If a path of any text file is recorded in the registration
file (YES determination at step S12), it is further determined, at step S13, whether
the text display is not currently set as an object of freeze setting. If the text
display is currently set as an object of freeze setting (NO determination at step
S13), a further determination is made, at step S14, as to whether the freeze is not
being currently instructed by the user operating the freeze instructing switch. If
the freeze is not being currently instructed (YES determination at step S14), a text
file process is performed, at step S15. The "text file process" is a process corresponding
to steps S5 and 6 above. Namely, the path of the selected text file recorded in the
registration file is stored into the data memory (TXT_PATH) at step S5, and then,
the text screen data of the leading page are created on the basis of the text file
in the image buffer, at step S6. Further, if the "text file selection screen" currently
displayed is a screen having replaced (i.e., having been switched from) the "text
display screen", the thus-created text screen data are transferred to the image memory,
and the displayed screen on the display 6A is brought from the "text file selection
screen" back to the leading page of the "text display screen". At step S16, setting
of other data is performed. Namely, on the basis of the "other setting data" of the
registration file, corresponding environments are set.
[0043] Then, at step S17 of Fig. 6B, a determination is made as to whether a switch between
the lyrics and text displays has been instructed through user's operation of any one
of the function switches D, D' during display of the "lyrics display screen" or "text
display screen". If such a switch between the lyrics and text displays has been instructed
(YES determination at step S17), a further determination is made, at step S18, as
to whether the instructed switch is from the text display to the lyrics display. With
a YES determination at step S18, lyrics screen data currently stored in the image
buffer are transferred to the image memory, so that a page of the lyrics, corresponding
to a currently-performed position, is displayed at step S19. If, on the other hand,
the instructed switch is from the lyrics display to the text display (NO determination
at step S18), text screen data currently stored in the image buffer are transferred
to the image memory, so that the instructed text page is displayed at step S20.
[0044] At next step S21, a determination is made as to whether page switching has been instructed
through user's operation of the "Back" or "Next" switch F or G. If page switching
has been instructed (YES determination at step S21), it is further determined, at
step S22, whether the page switching has been instructed during display of lyrics.
If the page switching has been instructed during display of lyrics (YES determination
at step S22), a further determination is made, at step S23, as to whether the page
switching has been instructed while no automatic performance was being executed or
during stoppage of an automatic performance. With a YES determination at step S23,
lyrics screen data of the preceding or next page are created in response to the page
switching instruction, and the thus-created lyrics screen data are transferred from
the image buffer to the image memory so as to display the preceding or next page (step
S24). Then, a current performance position of the automatic performance is set at
the leading position of the displayed lyrics, at step S25. If the page switching instruction
has not been given while no automatic performance was being executed or during stoppage
of an automatic performance (NO determination at step S23), the operations of steps
S24 and S25 are not carried out. Namely, because, during execution of an automatic
performance, corresponding lyrics are displayed in accordance with a progression of
the automatic performance, the page switching instruction by the user is ignored so
as to prevent a current automatically-performed position of the music piece and currently-displayed
words from disagreeing with each other. If the page switching instruction has not
been given during display of the lyrics as determined step S22 (NO determination at
step S22), a determination is made, at step S26, as to whether the page switching
instruction has been given during display of text ("text display screen"). With a
YES determination at step S26, text screen data of the preceding or next page are
created in response to the page switching instruction, and the thus-created text screen
data are transferred from the image buffer to the image memory so as to display the
preceding or next page of the text (step S27).
[0045] As illustrated in Fig. 6C, a determination is made, at step S28, as to whether starting
of reproduction has been instructed by the user operating the automatic performance
switch. If starting of reproduction has been instructed (YES determination at step
S28), reproduction of an automatic performance file is started on the basis of the
path stored in the data memory (AP_PATH), at step S29; this automatic performance
process will be later described with reference to Fig. 7. At next step S30, a further
determination is made as to whether stopping of the reproduction has been instructed
by the user operating the automatic performance switch. If stopping of the reproduction
has been instructed (YES determination at step S30), the reproduction of the automatic
performance file based on the path stored in the data memory (AP_PATH) is brought
to a stop, at step S31. Upon completion of all of the operations in the main processing
shown in Figs. 6A - 6C, the CPU 1 reverts to step S1 of Fig. 6A to repeat the operations
of steps S1 - S31.
[0046] Now, with reference to Fig. 7, a description will be given about the "automatic performance
process" which is carried out, in parallel to the "main processing" of Fig. 6, to
execute an automatic performance by reproducing an automatic performance file. Fig.
7 is a flow chart showing an embodiment of the "automatic performance process". First,
at step S41, a determination is made as to whether an automatic performance is currently
being reproduced. With a YES determination at step S41, an automatic performance file
is read out, in accordance with the path stored in the data memory (AP_PATH), to generate
tone signals, lyrics screen data of a page, including words corresponding to a currently-reproduced
position, are created on the basis of lyrics data, and the thus-created lyrics screen
data are stored into the image buffer (step S42). Thus, by only transferring the lyrics
screen data of the page, including words corresponding to the current reproduced position,
from the image buffer (e.g., step S19), it is possible to display words corresponding
to the current reproduced position of the automatic performance data.
[0047] The following paragraphs describe specific examples of screen switching processes
responsive to user's operation of predetermined switches, with reference to Figs.
8 and 9. Fig. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing specific examples of the screen switching
processes responsive to user's operation of the registration selection switches. Fig.
9 is a conceptual diagram showing specific examples of the screen switching processes
responsive to user's operation, during an automatic performance, of any one of the
function switches, "Back" switch and "Next" switch.
[0048] When a registration file has been read out, during display of the "text display screen",
in response to user's operation of the registration selection switch, as illustrated
in section (a) of Fig. 8, display switching is made from a "preceding text", which
was being displayed immediately before the operation of the switch, to a "new text"
designated by the registration data. However, if a "text file" is designated, as an
object of the freeze setting, in the read-out registration file and if the freeze
has been instructed by operation of the freeze instructing switch, as illustrated
in section (b) of Fig. 8, the display of the "preceding text" is continued as before,
with no switchover made from the "preceding text", which was being displayed immediately
before the operation of the switch, to the "new text" designated by the registration
data. Further, when a registration file has been read out, during display of the "lyrics
display screen", in response to user's operation of any of the registration selection
switches, as illustrated in sections (c) and (d) of Fig. 8, display switching is made
from "lyrics of preceding automatic performance data", which were being displayed
immediately before the operation of the switch, to "lyrics of new automatic performance
data" designated by the registration data. Further, once a text display instruction
has been given via the "lyrics display screen", display switching is made from the
"lyrics display screen" to the "text display screen" to display "new text" designated
by the registration data (section (c) of Fig. 8). However, if a "text file" is designated,
as an object of the freeze setting, in the selected registration file and if the freeze
has been instructed by operation of the freeze instructing switch, as illustrated
in section (d) of Fig. 8, the display of the "preceding text" designated by the last
registration file is continued as before, without the "new text" designated by the
registration data being displayed.
[0049] If the "lyrics display screen" is being displayed during an automatic performance,
the display is updated, in accordance with a progression of the automatic performance,
with a page including "words at a current reproduced position", as illustrated in
section (a) of Fig. 9. Further, once a text display instruction has been given via
the "lyrics display screen", display switching is made from the "lyrics display screen"
to the "text display screen" to display a designated page ("first page of the text"
if no particular page is designated). Once a lyrics display instruction has been given
via the "text display screen", display switching is made from the "text display screen"
to the "lyrics display screen" to display a page including "words at a current reproduced
position" in accordance with a progression of the automatic performance. Then, when
a text display instruction has been given via the "lyrics display screen", the page
of the text which was being displayed at the time of switching to the "lyrics display
screen" (first page in this case) is displayed. Further, once a text file selection
instruction has been given, during an automatic performance, via the "lyrics display
screen" displaying the page including the "words at the current reproduced position",
as illustrated in section (b) of Fig. 9, switching is made from the "lyrics display
screen" to the "text file selection screen" to display a page including "words at
a current reproduced position" in accordance with a progression of the automatic performance.
Then, when a text display instruction has been given via the "lyrics display screen",
the first page of text is displayed on the basis of a newly-selected text file. Because
the instant embodiment allows a text file to be selected while lyrics data are being
displayed, the user can readily select a text file even during display of the lyrics,
without having to perform operation of, for example, temporarily stopping the lyrics
display and then selecting the text file.
[0050] When the "Next" or "Back" switch (see Fig. 5) has been operated during display of
the "text display screen", as illustrated in section (c) of Fig. 9, switching is made
from one display to another in response to the operation of the switch. For example,
when the "Next" switch has been operated one or more times during display of the "first
page of text", one or more pages of text are sequentially displayed in order of ascending
page numbers (like "second page of text" → "second page of text") in accordance with
the number of times the "Next" switch has been operated. On the other hand, when the
"Back" switch has been operated one or more times during display of the "third page
of text" as illustrated, one or more pages of text are sequentially displayed in order
of descending page numbers (like "second page of text" → "first page of text") in
accordance with the number of times the "Back" switch has been operated. When the
"Next" or "Back" switch (see Fig. 5) has been operated during display of the "lyrics
display screen" for an automatic performance, as illustrated in section (d) of Fig.
9, the switch operation is ignored, so that no switching is made to the page to be
displayed. Because, during an automatic performance, each page including relevant
lyrics is displayed in accordance with a progression of the automatic performance
as explained above, a current automatically-performed position of the music piece
and currently-displayed words can be prevented from disagreeing with each other, by
ignoring the page switching operation. Thus, when no automatic performance is being
executed, display switching is made from one page to another page in response to operation
of the "Next" or "Back" switch. Namely, page switching of the text display screen
is validated but page switching of the lyrics display screen is invalidated, in response
to operation of the "Next" or "Back" switch during an automatic performance. Thus,
where the text has a plurality of pages, the instant embodiment not only allows the
text to be displayed while switching between the pages, but also can prevent erroneous
switching between the pages during display of the lyrics (i.e., can prevent jumping
of the automatically-performed position).
[0051] As described above, the present invention is characterized by including text file
selection information ("path of a text data file" in the above-described embodiments)
in each registration file so that selecting the registration file can also select
the text file. In this way, the user is allowed to readily select the text file (contents
of which are not necessarily limited to lyrics data) with a desired file name attached
thereto, by only selecting the registration file. Particularly, because the text file
selection information is included in the registration file, the present invention
permits association between performance (manual or automatic performance)-related
data defined in the registration file and a text file; thus, the user can readily
select a text file that fits contents of a performance.
[0052] Further, when a registration file has been selected, contents of a selected text
file are immediately displayed if the current display screen is the text display screen;
however, if the current display screen is other than the text display screen (i.e.,
the lyrics display screen in the above-described embodiments), the current display
screen is left unchanged, and the contents of the selected text file are displayed
later when the display screen is switched to the text display screen. In this way,
text data can be displayed at appropriate timing, i.e. immediately if the current
display screen is the text display screen, but later when the display screen is switched
to the text display screen if the current display screen is other than the text display
screen. Furthermore, when the inhibition setting (i.e., freeze setting in the above-described
embodiments) is in operation, the present invention inhibits selection of a registration
files; thus, even with a same registration file including same text file selection
information, the present invention can perform control to select or to not select
the text file, as desired.